Hospitals ask patients to purchase artificial knee transplant tools privately: Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa

Colombo, June 27 (Daily Mirror) - It has now become common in many government hospitals for patients to be asked to buy important medical items like artificial knee transplant equipment and other surgical tools from private companies, as hospitals often do not have them in stock. 

This was revealed by Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, President of the Trade Union Congress of Doctors for Civil Rights.

He said that these items are then taken straight into the operating theatres for surgeries.

Dr. Sanjeewa told the media that the recent arrest of a specialist doctor involved in a racket of importing and selling surgical equipment illegally at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital is not surprising. He said this incident shows a bigger problem in the health system, where patients are forced to spend large amounts of money on medical equipment that should be provided by the hospitals.

He also pointed out that patients have to pay more than Rs. 350,000 to buy artificial knee equipment from private pharmaceutical companies. After the payment, company staff bring the equipment into the operating theatre for the operation.

Dr. Sanjeewa said this situation is no different from the illegal sale of neurosurgical equipment recently exposed at the same hospital.

“Poor patients cannot afford such high costs for operations,” he said. He blamed the Medical Supplies Division for not providing enough surgical equipment for several months, which he said has allowed these illegal rackets to continue.

Dr. Sanjeewa said the government should not allow pharmaceutical companies to misuse the country’s free health system like this. He urged the President to launch a full investigation into why the Health Ministry has failed to manage its budget and provide essential medical services properly.

He also highlighted that, although the country’s economic situation has shown some improvement, the problems in the healthcare system have still not been resolved due to poor management by health authorities.

Finally, Dr. Sanjeewa called on the President to immediately start a formal investigation against officials and companies involved in creating shortages of medicines and surgical equipment for personal gain.